Jephcott available for trip to Blackpool

PLYMOUTH Argyle’s 18-goal top scorer Luke Jephcott will be available for the away League One game against Blackpool tomorrow after all.

Jephcott is set to join up with the rest of the Pilgrims’ squad in the north-west of England tonight after playing for Wales under-21s in the afternoon.

Wales have an international friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Colliers Park, Wrexham, which kicks off at 1pm.

Argyle manager Ryan Lowe said: “He will be back with us Friday night and he will be in the squad for Saturday, provided no injuries.”

Jephcott has gone 11 games without getting a goal but Lowe was pleased with his contribution in the 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers at Home Park last Saturday.

His strike partner Niall Ennis netted twice as the Pilgrims came out on top against Joey Barton’s Rovers.

Lowe said: “I’m not really bothered what he does for Wales to be honest, with all due respect. He gets called up because he’s good enough to be called up.

“It’s what he does for Plymouth Argyle, and what he done on Saturday (against Rovers) was excellent. His workrate and his overall play was very good, and his ball retention.

“Yeah, okay, he didn’t have many opportunities and didn’t score a goal but strikers are not always judged on goals.

“When your mate is scoring two, you are there to do the dirty work for him at times, and that is what Jeps did. So if he goes and scores (for Wales) great, it will be good for him and his family.

“Will it give him that little boost of confidence to come back and potentially score for us? Possibly.

“But I’m just looking at it that when an opportunity comes I know he will take it.”

Jephcott has made three appearances for Wales under-21s earlier this season and is still waiting for his first goal at that level.